Significant Alteration(s) with Date(s): Type of Change: Addition:Highly controversial addition of two new lab buildings to the East of the original two lab buildings.
Cost: $21 Million
Date(s): 1992 – 1996 (C)
Circumstances/Reasons for Change: Led by founder Jonas Salk, the campus had always intended on expanding and was now doing so to accommodate for more labs, an auditorium, and a primary lobby space.
Effects of Changes: Grove of Eucalyptus trees removed from East end of court.
Persons/Organizations Involved: Architect: Anshen + Allen, Los Angeles (Architects David Rinehart and John MacAllister. Rinehart was a former employee of Louis Kahn).
Landscape Architects: Sherr & Wagner, Kawasaki Theilacher Ueno + Assoc.
Engineer: Ove Arup & Partners
Civil: Barrett Consulting Group
Consultants: Earl Walls; Carmen Nordsten Igonda Design; Debra Nichols Design; Cermack Peterka Petersen
General Contractor: McCarthy Brothers Company

Current Use: Of Whole Building/Site:Neuroscience Research, Molecular and Cellular Biology Research

Current Condition: Of Whole Building/Site: Good
Of Principal Components: The institute is continuing to grow and maintain itself.
Of Other Elements: The Eucalyptus grove (although Kahn intention debated) has been removed. Entry to the complex through the grove to the barren courtyard has been compromised by Ashen + Allen addition.
Of Surrounding Area: Surrounding area has grown from a secluded research village to a larger district of institutions and facilities.

General Description:

Sited at the head of a ravine along coastal bluffs, the Institute's integrated building complex and natural setting provide a contemplative working environment for a community of scientists. The austere central plaza is flanked by the symmetrical, four-story, semi-detached rows of researcher studies in bays with diagonal walls oriented toward the sea. Behind, linked to the studies by bridges, are free plan laboratory spaces.

Salk wanted flexible laboratory space – meaning free of columns and walls with the ability to adapt to changes over time. The Engineer Komendant suggested the use of a 9-foot tall Vierendeel truss to span the 65-foot wide labs. Those trusses became the “Interstitial Space” to house the mechanical systems and larger machinery. The alternate floors became free.

Social:

This project improved the science of science; researchers became more collaborative and development accelerated. This seemingly simple act changed the way research was conducted, from the historical double-loaded corridor of cellular labs – to a more integrated adaptable lab. The impact on human inter-relations transformed. It is also important to note Kahn’s deliberate design of space for the individual, small group, and large collective. He also designed the possibilities of serendipitous interaction through careful consideration of spatial relationships and their derivative circulation.

Cultural & Aesthetic:The formal characteristics of the complex, including pure geometrical forms has been attributed to both Kahn’s interest in ancient western ruins and Salk’s interest in Assisi, Italy.

Historical:

Reverence for the building was escalated in the early 1990’s when the Ashen + Allen addition was proposed. The number of conversations that the new design sparked was enormous. The number of journal articles prior to that are very limited.
Although not the first lab building to use the free-plan, Salk's lab in Philadelphia inspired the idea in La Jolla.